You may boast of your brandy and wine as you please,
Gin, cider, and all the rest;
Cold water transcends them in all the degrees,
It is good—it is better—’tis BEST.
It is good to warm you when you are cold,
Good to cool you when you are hot;
It is good for the young—it is good for the old,
Whatever their outward lot.
It is better than brandy to quicken the blood,
It is better than gin for the colic;
It is better than wine for the generous mood,
Than whisky or rum for a frolic.
’Tis the best of all drinks for quenching your thirst,
’Twill revive you for work or for play;
In sickness or health, ’tis the best and the first—
Oh! try it—you’ll find it will pay.